Passport rule for French day trips to change in pilot scheme

A Normandy ferry service said in February the current rules were costing it money

French national day trip visitors arriving on commercial passenger ferries will be allowed to enter Jersey using their national ID cards, under a new pilot scheme.

It is being introduced to address the "significant decline" in day trip passengers to Jersey following Brexit.

Rules were brought in requiring visitors from outside the Common Travel Area to show passports on entry.

The scheme will be in place for the summer, the government said.

French authorities said in February they would stop funding a ferry service to Jersey unless an agreement could be reached over the travel documents.

The current process is said to be difficult for many French nationals, who may not possess passports and instead rely on ID cards.

Arrangements will be made to make sure "robust measures are in place to ensure the security of the border is maintained," a government spokesperson said.

The scheme was announced by Deputy Helen Miles, Minister for Home Affairs, who said: "It is important that we are all working together to enable French residents to visit our beautiful island and give them the flexibility they need to do so.

"Jersey has a longstanding history and cultural links with France and my aim is to make sure we create opportunities for this to continue."

Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Economic Development said: "This offers a great opportunity to improve our connectivity to France and provide a boost to our local hospitality and retail sectors by making it easier for French day trippers wanting to visit Jersey".

The Manche Isles Express ferry is partially funded by the Manche Département to provide sea links between the Channel Islands and Normandy.

Change is vital

The Manche Département President Jean Morin said the service had been losing money since day trippers were forced to show passports.

Mr Morin said: "It means we lose half our passengers. The economic model doesn't work, and we find ourselves in great difficulty.

"And that's why this change in authorisation is vital for the ferry link with Jersey and Guernsey."

Gary Le Marrec from Tantivy Blue Coach Tours welcomed the rule change as "absolutely amazing" news.

He said: "It's a great boost for the island's tourism industry and for the island's economy."

Follow BBC Jersey on Twitter and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].